Frank H. Conlon/For The Star-LedgerPeople gather for a protest for immigration rights on the Green in Morristown. Wind of the Spirit, along with a coalition of faith based and human rights groups, sponsored the rally in observation of International Workers Day and the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. MORRISTOWN -- About 100 area residents converged on the Morristown Green yesterday to celebrate International Workers Day and protest immigration legislation recently passed in Arizona that they say threatens civil liberties for immigrants throughout the country.

"Nosotros todos somos Arizona," shouted Diana Mejia, of Morristown and leader of Wind of the Spirit, who organized the day’s event. "We are all Arizona."

Mejia’s group was one of many throughout the state and nation that used the day to protest what they described as police profiling of Latinos under the guise of a crackdown on illegal immigration.

"We believe that everybody has the right to freedom," Mejia said. "We will not tolerate discrimination."

The crowd held signs reading "Stop Racism Now" and gathered around a bandstand where the local hip-hop/reggae band Universal Rebel sang songs of protest and unity.

"We think it’s important that everybody stand together," said band manager John Hodges. "We’re not here to fight anybody."

Christopher Novoa, 65, said that when he went to get a fishing license in Parsipanny he was told he would have to provide proof of citizenship.

"I said, ‘I am a permanent resident, I have the same rights as a U.S. citizen,’ " Novoa said. "I was discriminated against for being Hispanic and it hurt."

Morristown made headlines last year when a public feud broke out between then-mayor Donald Cresitello and then-state attorney general Anne Milgram over the deputization of local police as federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

Protesters said even though 287 G, the controversial law that allows local police to act as ICE officers, was no longer in effect in Morristown, it was important to send a message of unity to political leaders.

"This kind of legislation does not promote safe neighborhoods," said the Rev. Alison Miller of the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship.

Miller joined several faith-based groups in support of immigrant protections. "A lot of immigrants in our communities do pay taxes and want to make contributions," she said, adding that laws such as the one in Arizona encourage immigrants to live their lives in the shadows. She said the police in Morristown "have actually made efforts to be constructive partners."

Longtime Morris resident Bill Spears said the Arizona law has an impact on civil liberties throughout the country.

"I think it has ramifications far beyond Arizona," Spears said. "We all have to be very aware of this kind of wrongdoing."

Ivan Largo, 42, immigrated to New Jersey from Colombia decades ago. He said laws that target illegal immigrants were inherently racist.

"I’m against people stopping you because of the way you look," Largo said. "If you see an Irish guy, they won’t stop him because he looks American, but he could be illegal."

Frank H. Conlon/For The Star-LedgerThe Carballo family of Plainfield holds an American flag during a protest for immigration rights on the Green in Morristown.